Book Provides Resources To Change the World and Get Paid For It

When thinking about changing the world, you probably don’t associate it with people in the science, technology, engineering, or math fields.

“With improving social condition, most people think of social workers, not those studying science, technology, engineering or math, but they actually play a large role in improving the human life,” founding director of Penn State’s Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) Program Khanjan Mehta said. 

Taking what you have learned from being a STEM student and applying it to helping improve social condition can be challenging.

With the help of the book “Solving Problems that Matter (and Getting Paid for It),” edited by Mehta, STEM students who want to pursue their dreams of a life-long career in improving the human condition can figure out how to combine what they have learned and their passion to help.

Students will be able to find the answers to many of their questions, such as how different kinds of organizations work, how to find their first impact-focused job, the pros and cons of obtaining certain degrees, and how salaries and benefits work when they are placed in a developing country. They will also get to read about personal experiences, lessons learned, and advice from innovators already in the field. 

The book takes a deep look into STEM careers in social innovation and global sustainable development through 54 chapters of expert briefs from leaders of organizations such as Peace Corps and 100 profiles of STEM innovators around the world.

As editor of the book, Mehta had to understand who the audience of the book is and knew it needed to be written in a logical fashion. He went out and found people who could contribute to the book, making sure there was diversity in career paths and experiences. 

Penn State Director of the Career Enrichment Network Susan Knell contributed a brief titled Essential Liberal Arts Competencies that outlines 10 skills, such as communication and empathy, required for people with STEM backgrounds to be successful in the social innovation and development careers.

“This book is a great resource for students from a range of backgrounds to introduce them to a wide variety of perspectives that can help them in navigating the various paths that could lead them to careers in social innovation and global sustainable development,” Knell said. ”I talk with students every day who want to ‘make a difference’ and this resource can help them to think more strategically about what that might look like for them personally.”